When you have made the decision to speak with – and possible hire – an estate planning attorney, you may be wondering where to begin to find one. While Google can be beneficial to serve as a launchpad, it does not tell you whether the first attorney that pops up is a good one, and what they will be like to work with.
Ask Friends and Family
One way to find an estate planning attorney is to speak with friends and family who have had their estate plans done. They may be able to share with you a good attorney who was responsive and helpful through their process. They may also be able to direct you who to stay away from, because they were not as responsive or respectful through the process.
Your neighbors may also be a source of information, especially if it is important to you to find an estate planning attorney who is close to your home.
Questions to Ask
When you speak with friends, family members, and/or neighbors about who they used for their estate plan, be sure to ask about how the attorney they used handled the process. Some attorneys have several in-person meetings throughout the process, which may not work if you work during normal business hours and have difficulty taking time off.
Another question to ask is about the timeline and how long the process takes. Sometimes, if the attorney needs additional information from the client, the process can take longer than expected. However, if all information is provided to the attorney shortly after the initial consultation, most estate plans (with minimal revisions) can be completed in less than two months.
Last, another question that may be important to you is how comfortable the friend, family member, or neighbor felt with the attorney. While you only work with the attorney for a short period of time, you should always feel comfortable with the attorney you chose to work with. This is also a personal preference, and a friend, family member, or neighbor may have a different experience than you.
If you would like to create your estate plan, contact an attorney today for a consultation.